Arnold Market campaigners are nominated for an award for their work

Members of the Save Arnold Market campaign group, from left: Nicola Mallyon, 43, of Gedling, Will Lillejord, 40, and Simon Dunn, 40, both from Arnold, and Dougy Brown, 42 of Sherwood, pictured outside Arnold Market.

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A campaign group set up to persuade politicians to revitalise a once-thriving market is the latest nomination for the coveted Pride of Gedling Awards 2018.

Save Arnold Market is already celebrating a major win after Gedling Borough Council agreed plans to buy the site and redevelop it to create a bustling shopping area, complete with night-time entertainment and other attractions.

With the sale expected to be completed by as early as next month, the group - run by local residents Simon Dunn, Will Lillejord, Nichola James and Douglas Brown - has now been put forward for the ‘outstanding community project’ category of this year’s awards.

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Save Arnold Market’s tireless campaigning has included collecting signatures from around 1,000 people on the streets, as well as organising an online petition with a similar number of supporters - showing the huge amount of local interest in the rejuvenation project.

Members also run a popular Facebook page and Twitter profile, sharing campaign news and urging people to get behind their market. With more than 1,000 followers for the Facebook site alone, it’s estimated some posts have reached an audience of at least 10,000 people.

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Simon said: “It’s been a continuous job keeping up the momentum, but the passion has never dissipated. We see ourselves as the voice of the people of Arnold who want this great market brought back to life.

The group with a campaign T-shirt.

“This success is all down to the people who have signed the petition and the people who shared and liked the Facebook messages and Twitter updates.

“It looks like it’s the last hurdle, it’s just a matter of the ink drying on the the dotted line now.

"We’re very optimistic that after years of pledges made and nothing happening, this time it will finally happen.”

The market was converted from a former school site in 1966, but has since fallen on hard times, with several empty pitches.

It’s hoped that as part of the redevelopment, the area could be used to stage bigger events on the scale of Nottingham city centre’s annual beach.

Meanwhile, a bigger Christmas lights switch-on event, linking up with the Mellors group, attracted huge crowds of shoppers in December - with stalls and entertainment showing what can be achieved.

Simon added: “Markets do work in the modern economy and there is so much capacity for great work to take place at this site, it’s just that it was allowed to become very downtrodden over the years.”

The group was nominated by Gedling councillor John Parr, who said it was great news that after so many years, Arnold Market Place was set for a major injection of cash and ideas.

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He added: “Away from the flag waving, I should like to draw attention to the many, many townsfolk and businesses that have championed its regeneration, not least of all the campaign group Save Arnold Market.

“The group will keep up the pressure to ensure the investment is spent well, and the new market has the right management in place. As they have said, saving the market is only the first step, we now have to make sure that mistakes aren't made. I'll drink to that.”

Simon said it was “fantastic” to be nominated for the coveted award.

“On behalf of the whole group, I’d like to say a big thanks,” he added.

The category has been sponsored by David James Estate Agents. Director James Roys said: “We are extremely proud to sponsor the ‘outstanding community project’ award in 2018.

"This is the second time we have been involved with the Pride of Gedling Awards and as a local company run by local people, we feel it is extremely important to recognise the exceptional contributions individuals and organisations continue to make within our community.

“As David James enters its 27th year of trading, we are firmly established within the fabric of Gedling borough and have worked hard to become the number one estate agent in the area.

“It is only through the support of the local community throughout those 27 years that we have reached this position and we feel incredibly thankful for this.”

The closing date for nominations is Friday February 9 - after which our judging panel will come up with a shortlist in each category, who will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony at Gedling Civic Centre on Thursday, March 29.

For further information, contact Nikki Kandola, events manager at the Nottingham Post, on 0115 905 1901.

The full list of categories for the Pride of Gedling Awards 2018 is as follows:

Good Neighbour Award - sponsored by Gedling Homes

This award recognises inspirational individuals who have gone that extra mile to make everyday life better for others in their community.

Community Servant Award - sponsored by T&S Heating

Someone who works serving the public in their day job and has gone above and beyond the role to help others, assist their community or improve their environment.